Can anybody make sense of this Amazon response?

Hi
One of my publishers can place my books on Pre-order with Amazon.com. The other publisher says it cannot because it does not meet 'the criteria'. So I wrote to Amazon to ask them why my publisher cannot put my soon-to-be released novel on Pre-order. (Yes, I asked my publisher and they said they didn't have a clue, that the only answer they get is something about Amazon saying it isn't possible on KDP). Which boggles my brain because...isn't KDP for self-publishing, not e-publishers or trad publishers? I'm confused. anyhoo, here's the e-mail I received from Amazon, which if somebody can help me to interpret, I'd be much obliged. I'm wondering, if my small publisher is on KDP, then what does it need to be on in order to have its books available on Pre-Order, like my other publisher does?

Hello,

I understand that you'd like to list your book for pre-order.

At this time our system prevents us from making the book available for pre-order before its release date on our website. However, I recommend discussing this request with your publisher or distributor. They can work with their representatives at Amazon in order to set this up for you.

I'm sorry we're unable to carry out your request, but I hope this information is helpful to you.

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Harlequin Carina Press is the publisher that can place my books on pre-order; Secret Cravings Publishing the one that cannot. I know it's not to do with my book specifically, but Amazon seemed to take my general query as such. SCP says they haven't got a clue...so I don't either and now I'm afraid that I never will, really, if it has to do with the publisher agreement with Amazon. I'm going to ask SCP and see if they answer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Thanks for your response and attempt to help!

*Sigh* Well, if that's the case then it kinda sucks, though I have no complaints about SCP so far in other areas. But I wonder even more now what makes a 'publisher' a 'publisher'. Secret Cravings does several rounds of edits, proof reading, provides professional cover art etc, just like the bigger publishers, so what is the criteria then? If it's publishing books on the KDP then how can it publish on Amazon's other 'real publisher' programmes. What are they and how do you find out their guidelines? The mind boggles! I am newbie to all of this and did not realise there was such a distinction, thanks!

nkkingston said:

Some small publishers use KDP because if books are selling at certain price points they get a bigger cut than they would if they went through traditional channels. The flip side of this is that they don't get access to the tools traditional channels have, and that they're tied to Amazon.

Personally, I don't like publishers that use self-publishing programs, precisely for reasons like this. It limits their ability to market your book prior to release. However, if they've done thorough edits, provided you with a professional cover, and marketed your book well, then they're doing the publisher's share of the work and earning their cut, at least.

Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know for future reference. I'm learning something new about this business everyday. I *think* SCP are doing everything they can to market and prepare my book for sale, but I won't know for sure how effective they are until the book is out. I do think they're earning their cut as publishers: they do several rounds of edits, a copy edit and proof reading round. The cover art on my book is super!I've had a few niggles, but every time they've been addressed and answered professionally. I don't regret signing on that line, however, I would have liked to have known about their KDP status on Amazon.

Well, Veinglory, what you say certainly marries with the e-mail they sent to me! I guess I'll never know, but I am armed with more 'savvy' (fingers crossed!) and will carefully consider such issues when I am next ready to submit another book under that pen name. Thanks!

Ah.
So.
Money.
Choices.
Thanks for the info!